Golf World Preview: Scott seeks major momentum

Adam Scott was last seen in competition winning November's Australian Masters, but the other Masters will be on his mind as he leaves his surfboard behind and opens his 2013 season at the Northern Trust Open.

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Scott finished T-2 at Augusta in 2011, overtaken by Charl Schwartzel's closing run of four straight birdies. The finish marked Scott as a vastly improved player in the majors, an impression that was strengthened even in his devastating slip at last year's British Open when the 32-year-old Australian lost by one at Royal Lytham & St. Annes after bogeying the last four holes.

With the long putter still in the bag and Steve Williams still on it, Scott also retains the most eye-pleasing swing in the game and looks ready for a big year. The world's seventh-ranked player has a good record at Riviera, too, with an unofficial victory at 36 holes in 2005 and a solo second in 2006. He finished T-17 last year.